(Cover Photo: The CAST of "URINETOWN THE MUSICAL" by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, now playing at the Lyric Stage in Boston, MA. until October 20, 2024. Photo Credit Nile Hawver)


By Kevin T. Baldwin

METRMAG Reviewer

# 774-242-6724   

“It's the oldest story - masses are oppressed. Faces, clothes and bladders, all distressed."

        - ("Lockstock, McQueen, Fipp, Barrel") / Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis

Lyric Stage Company

Presents

"URINETOWN THE MUSICAL"

Music and Lyrics by Mark Hollmann

Book and Lyrics by Greg Kotis

Directed by Courtney O'Connor°

Music Direction by Dan Rodriguez† 

Choreographed by Christopher Shin

Associate Director Ryan Mardesich

Cast Includes: Remo Airaldi* as “Senator Fipp, Joseph “Old Man” Strong,”  Anneke Angstadt as “Little Becky Two-Shoes Christopher Chew* as “Caldwell B. Cladwell,”  Gabriel Graetz* as “Officer Barrel,”  Elliana Karris as “Hope Cladwell,”  Kenny Lee as “Bobby Strong,” Todd McNeel, Jr.* as “Mr. McQueen,” Paige O’Connor as “Little Sally,”  Katie O’Reilly as “Soupy Sue,”  Darren Paul as “Hot Blades Harry,”  Anthony Pires, Jr.* as “Officer Lockstock,”  Kathy St. George* as “Josephine “Ma” Strong,”  James Turner as “Dr. Billeaux/Tiny Tom,”  Lisa Yuen* as “Penelope Pennywise,” Brandon Lee as “Mr. McQueen Cover 10/19 Matinee.”

Additional Creative Team:

Scenic Design - Janie E. Howland**;  Costume Design - Rachel Padula-Shufelt;  Lighting Design - Deb Sullivan**; Sound Designer - Alex Berg; Props Artisan - Lauren Corcuera;  Production Stage Manager - Nerys Powell*;  Assistant Stage Manager - Lucas Bryce Dixon*.

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

** Represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 of the IATSE

° Stage Directors and Choreographers Society† Member of AFM Local 9-535 

Performances:

September 20, 2024 through October 20, 2024 

(Contact Box Office for Exact Times) 

All performances to be held at LYRIC STAGE OF BOSTON, 140 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116

TICKETS:

Contact the Box Office at # 617-585-5678 or go to lyricstage.com

BUY TICKETS

COVID 19 PROTOCOLS

Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.

Lyric Stage Company kicks off a 50-Year Anniversary Celebration with the hilariously funny "URINETOWN THE MUSICAL" is a satirical musical that overflows with laughs (and I promise that will be the last of the potty puns for this review…maybe…). 

The musical has developed a staunchly dedicated following, mostly because it recognizes itself for what it is – a preposterous show with a terrible title. 

Under the expert guidance of Lyric Stage director Courtney O’Connor, the show also features some precision-perfect isolated lighting and dazzling choreography by Christopher Shin. 

Make no mistake - this is a fabulous show…with an absolutely wretched title. 

Yet, as soon as one accepts the premise of a potty-driven plot combined with a multitude of musical references, the more fun they will have at "URINETOWN." 

Premiering in 2001, "URINETOWN THE MUSICAL" with its witty albeit quirky libretto, was developed with the collaborative efforts of music by Mark Hollmann, lyrics by Hollmann and Greg Kotis, and book by Kotis. 

(Photo: Lisa Yuen as "Penelope Pennywise" with the CAST of "URINETOWN THE MUSICAL" by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, now playing at the Lyric Stage in Boston, MA. until October 20, 2024. Photo Credit Nile Hawver)

While for some, the show may come across as outlandish, sophomoric humor, don’t be fooled - because "URINETOWN" well-satirizes many higher concepts, as well, among them being: politics, law, commerce, ecology, society, bureaucracy, corporate greed, and musicals. 

"URINETOWN THE MUSICAL" premiered at the New York International Fringe Festival, and then was produced Off-Broadway at the American Theatre for Actors in 2001. 

The show then opened on Broadway running from 2001 until 2004, running for a total of 25 previews and 965 performances.   

"URINETOWN THE MUSICAL" was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and won three: one for Best Book of a Musical, one for Best Original Score and one for Best Direction of a Musical (for John Rando). 

From the moment "URINETOWN" begins, instantly it becomes apparent that this is going to be two solid hours of completely silly satire…and thank goodness for that, because it is done in an amiable, delightfully funny way. 

Our host and guide for the proceedings is Officer Lockstock (Anthony Pires, Jr.), a policeman who conveys right off the bat that we are about to witness a musical unlike other kinds of musicals we might have seen before. 

Pires seems to be completely in tune with the show's lighthearted tongue-in-cheek humor, often offering a wink and a nod with every quip he utters when breaking the fourth stall…uh, wall (okay, one more pun but that’s it, I swear).  

(Photo: Christopher Chew as "Caldwell B. Cladwell" with the CAST of "URINETOWN THE MUSICAL" by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, now playing at the Lyric Stage in Boston, MA. until October 20, 2024. Photo Credit Nile Hawver)

We then meet street urchin Little Sally (Paige O’Connor). 

O’Connor radiates as the perky, enthusiastic young urchin but the character soon becomes a little darker by the time we reach the show’s second act., although it is easy to understand why the urchin becomes so jaded. 

From Lockstock and Little Sally, we learn of a 20-year drought that has caused a catastrophic water shortage. 

As a result, home toilets are now a thing of the past and only mandatory public-use pay-toilets exist. 

The above plot was inspired while co-creator Greg Kotis was a student traveling abroad in Europe and had to contend with “pay toilets.” 

Kolis then developed "URINETOWN" with Mark Hollmann which ultimately landed them on Broadway. 

In this fictitious neo-"Orwellian" society, all bathroom activities are done in public toilets governed by an unsympathetic corporation called "Urine Good Company" (or “UGC”). To control water consumption, people have to pay to use the amenities which we learn about in the song, “It’s a Privilege to Pee.” 

By the way, a word of advice: DON'T try to overthink the plausibility or implausibility of the premise here or you won't make it past the opening number.

(Photo: Paige O’Connor as “Little Sally" sits with Anthony Pires, Jr. as “Officer Lockstock” in a scene from "URINETOWN THE MUSICAL" by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, now playing at the Lyric Stage in Boston, MA. until October 20, 2024. Photo Credit Nile Hawver)

As the story continues, we learn of the cruel restrictions and penalties put upon the public to force people to pay to urinate and that any public urination is prosecuted ferociously. 

There is a line gathered at the most disgusting urinal in town, “Public Amenity # 9” (aka “# 9” as signified by a suspended neon sign) run by the unsympathetic controller Penelope Pennywise (Lisa Yuen) assisted by the show’s hero, aptly named Bobby Strong (Kenny Lee). 

Both Yuen and Lee offset one another well, with Lee’s character embracing a youthful naivete while Yuen’s character reels in the bitterness of experience. 

Any lawbreakers are sent to a place called "URINETOWN" and are never seen nor heard from again, which soon impacts Bobby into making a life-changing decision. 

Bobby's father (played by Remo Airaldi, expert in his contrasting dual role, also portraying the sinister “Senator Fipp”), unable to afford his daily urinal fee, urinates on the street. 

Therefore, Bobby’s father is arrested by Officer Lockstock and carted off to "URINETOWN" which ultimately inspires Bobby to lead a revolt against the repugnant corporation, UGC. 

UGC is led by greedy, power-hungry CEO Caldwell B. Cladwell (Christopher Chew) who’s recent grad daughter, Hope (Elliana Karris), has arrived to work for her father as a new “fax/copy girl.” 

(Photo: Kenny Lee as "Bobby Strong" with the CAST of "URINETOWN THE MUSICAL" by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, now playing at the Lyric Stage in Boston, MA. until October 20, 2024. Photo Credit Nile Hawver)

Through a chance encounter, Hope meets and falls for Bobby Strong. 

They both share a naïve sense of optimism, as they convey in their duet “Follow Your Heart,” showcasing the exceptionally gifted voices of both Lee and Karris.

The couple prays for a future where people throughout the world can not only find joy (sound familiar?) but also, more importantly (for them), a future where people can pee for free. 

However, suddenly, just like colon cleanser added to the world, the floodgates open and soon they are both drowning in a grotesque sea of reality. 

As one of Cladwell's henchmen, Mr. McQueen (Todd McNeel, Jr.), declares a new fee hike imposed upon the urinals, a defiant Bobby thrusts open the doors of the urinal and leads the people in  a “Les Mizh”-level rebellion in the song, "Look at the Sky" (and pay close attention to their chosen "flag of protest"). 

Chew is a devilish delight as the sinister Cladwell, who vows to crush the rebellion in the song "Don't Be the Bunny” which immediately puts his daughter Hope in danger with the rebels led by Bobby. 

A major strength in the show comes from the diverse talent of the remarkable 15-person cast, many of whom double in roles, occasionally switching up characters at a fever-pitch pacing.

(Photo: Anthony Pires, Jr. as “Officer Lockstock” with the CAST of "URINETOWN THE MUSICAL" by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, now playing at the Lyric Stage in Boston, MA. until October 20, 2024. Photo Credit Nile Hawver)

The exceptional orchestra for "URINETOWN THE MUSICAL" is situated above the stage, led by the show’s music director Dan Rodriguez, who also plays piano. 

Many of the show's best musical numbers seem to occur during Act Two, such as “Snuff That Girl” sung by members of the Company, “Run Freedom Run” sung by Lee with the Company, and “Why Did I Listen to That Man?” sung by Yuen, Lee, Karris, Airaldi, along with Pires and Gabriel Graetz as Lockstock’s partner “Officer Barrel.”

The complex-looking cataclysmic set is cleverly devoid of much color, allowing for more vibrant colors, such as a bright red used for much of the show’s second act, to shine through.   

In making "URINETOWN" a captivating visceral experience, O’Connor richly uses the entire Lyric space, which includes incorporating multiple levels and all the aisles in the theatre. 

"URINETOWN THE MUSICAL" continues at the Lyric Stage in Boston until October 20th, 2024 and do not waste any time in getting your tickets as seats may go fast. 

Up next as the 50th Anniversary Celebration at the Lyric Stage continues will be the riotously funny "NOISES OFF" by Michael Frayn which begins November 11th, 2024.

For tickets and more information, contact the Box Office at # 617-585-5678 or go to lyricstage.com.

BUY TICKETS

Approximately two hours with one intermission. 

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)

@MetrmagReviews

@Theatre_Critics 

ABOUT THE SHOW

"URINETOWN THE MUSICAL" is a musical satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics and musical theatre itself! 

In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. 

The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. 

Amid the people, a hero decides that he's had enough and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom! 

Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, "URINETOWN THE MUSICAL" is an irreverently humorous satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny.

ABOUT THE LYRIC STAGE OF BOSTON

Founded in 1974 and in residence at 140 Clarendon Street since 1991, THE LYRIC STAGE OF BOSTON is Boston’s oldest resident theatre company. Our mission is to produce and present live theatre in Greater Boston with an intimate approach that promotes inclusivity and connection. THE LYRIC STAGE leads an effort to integrate live theater and theater education into the lives of all residents of greater Boston.

THE LYRIC STAGE OF BOSTON

140 Clarendon Street

Boston, MA. 02116

BOX OFFICE: 617-585-5678

WEBSITE: www.lyricstage.com